Meeting of Makkah defence pact in Saudi Arabia next week to focus on Houthi attacks: FM Dar

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that an emergency meeting of the strategic political and defence committee under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia would be held next week in Riyadh to discuss the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. On August 7, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye formalised their longstanding strategic relationship through the newly signed MJDA, a trilateral security framework that its proponents describe as a defensive arrangement aimed at strengthening collective deterrence, enhancing military cooperation and promoting regional stability. "The full meeting of the Strategic Political Defence Committee will soon be held in Riyadh, and the current ground realities, particularly the situation in Saudi Arabia, will be examined under the Makkah Accord," FM Dar stated. Read: Makkah pact military chiefs condemn attacks on holy city at Riyadh meeting "Whatever course of action is decided will be shared with the public when the meeting is finalised, and it will also be shared with you when the meeting is attended," he further added. Pakistan’s FM Ishaq Dar says that an ⁠emergency ⁠meeting of the strategic political defence committee ⁠under the pact between Pakistan, ⁠Turkiye and Saudi Arabia will be held next week and will focus on Houthi attacks on the kingdom. 🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/iaJNk1bWQE pic.twitter.com/QQUheuiSaj — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 2, 2026 In a media briefing, FM Dar highlighted Pakistan’s extensive diplomatic engagements during the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), adding that Pakistan's delegation used the opportunity to raise key national and international issues and meet with world leaders. FM Dar said the UNGA week provided an important opportunity to engage global leaders, participate in international forums and conduct bilateral diplomacy, with the Pakistani delegation attending a large number of meetings from September 21 to 25. 🔴LIVE: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister's Media Briefing 02-10-2026 https://t.co/z7XlzXIplc — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 2, 2026 On Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the UNGA, Dar said the premier presented Pakistan’s perspective on major regional and global challenges, including Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, terrorism, and the US-Iran situation. Dar noted that PM Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position on Palestine and presented Pakistan's stance on Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the context of the 2025 conflict with India and the issue of cross-border terrorism, further adding that the premier also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue between the United States and Iran. Dar noted that Pakistan had played a role in bringing the US and Iran to the negotiating table after 47 years, with talks held in Istanbul on April 10 and 11. The negotiations comprised six sessions spread over 21 hours, followed by an agreement signed on June 18. According to FM Dar, the PM also highlighted the impact of developments around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, particularly their effects on ordinary people and prices, further noting that the government had approved relief measures despite financial constraints and the IMF programme. PM Shehbaz also spoke before the international community about the losses suffered by Pakistan due to terrorism from Afghanistan and the threats emanating from there, besides highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts concerning the US-Iran conflict and developments involving Saudi Arabia. Describing the PM’s UNGA address as a comprehensive presentation of Pakistan’s position, FM Dar emphasised that it received repeated rounds of applause during the session.